By Michelle Crean

Fearless fundraisers are being sought to descend from the iconic Hogan Stand and abseil over 100 feet to pitch side - all in aid of a Kerry charity.

The team at Kerry Cancer Support Group (KCSG) launched their 'Leap of Faith ‘22' challenge on Saturday last with charity ambassador Colm Cooper doing a demo on the day.

The abseil will take place in Croke Park on August 21 with funds used to finance the work being done by the group in Kerry, West Cork and West Limerick in the provision of their supported Healthlink transport services which transports patients to cancer related appointments free of charge in the region.

The funds will ensure that the group continues to uphold its mission and vision “that no one should face their cancer journey alone”. Since setting up the transport service in 2010 the group have transported over 6,000 service users to nearly 60,000 appointments and have become affectionately known as a "travelling support group".

Kerry Cancer Support Group have not set a fundraising goal for the abseil as it's their first time doing the event but hope that the challenge will be a popular one and provide a unique opportunity to see The Hogan Stand from a different angle.

Spaces are limited so there is a €100 registration fee to secure a place. The group will not set a target for each individual but hope that each does their best to raise funds to help keep this vital service on the road.

“We hope that the day will be an exciting one with a difference in Croke Park," Breda Dyland, Service Manager with KCSG, said.

"Kerry people are accustomed to a very different view from the Hogan Stand and doing the abseil with us will certainly be the ultimate adrenaline rush. We have been planning this for the past year and a half but restrictions meant we waited until now to book our slot. We are really looking forward to a day with family, friends and colleagues. Kerry comedian Bernard Casey was one of the first people to sign up so he should keep us entertained! We, like many other charities, are still in the midst of the fallout from the pandemic. Fundraising took a backseat because we were too busy keeping everyone safe. We hope that the 'Leap of Faith ‘22' challenge will raise much needed funds for the service and help us to continue to provide the vital transport links to treatment centres in the region.”

If you would like information on the 'Leap of Faith ‘22' challenge go to their website www.kerrycancersupport.com or contact info@kerrycancersupport.com.